Letter to the editor: Lawmakers should work on fixing Social Security

Congressional lawmakers, wake up and do something about the Social Security system. People are tired of politicians repeating that the system will run out of money and not be able to pay recipients their full payments. They claim Social Security may cut payments in the future because of funding issues. We hear this constantly. While we are waiting for the crisis to happen, some things can be done. Let’s not procrastinate any longer.

It makes people furious that the government sends billions of dollars to foreign countries. Why can’t we allocate some billions to Social Security? We constantly help other countries but keep forgetting about our people.

Since 1990, Social Security rates for workers and companies have been 6.2% for each, a total of 12.4%. Possibly they could tweak a very small increase onto workers’ deductions and companies’ contributions. This would bring a little bit of money into the system, which is better than doing nothing.

Mr. President and lawmakers, let’s get with the program. Let’s not say that tweaking the rates deducted from employees and companies is too small an amount and won’t make a difference. Well, putting revenue into the system is better than doing nothing and ignoring problems. There is no reason why billions of dollars can flow out to foreign countries but not into Social Security. Our citizens worked hard to retire and should not have to take payment cuts to keep the system afloat.

Douglas Johnston

Franklin Township, Beaver County